Our collective vocabulary is smaller than it used to be. That’s clear to anyone who reads old books, regardless of genre. As a result, we're losing more than most people think.
I have been reading A Tale of Two Cities and I am amazed at the amount of words, even as a fairly well-educated adult, that I do not know. I mostly read non-fiction, but I have noticed that fiction often gives a wider range of vocabulary than non-fiction, so I will be making an effort to read more fiction for a while.
An astute observation, Sarah. It seems there are so few opportunities for serious, informed conversation. I can't add much to what you've catalogued already. It's almost as if our thinking has fallen victim to some sort of entropy, whereby the only "organized" thoughts are those contained in popular catch phrases, call it "hashtag entropy."
That's so true , Sarah , our language has been diluted . i've noticed here in the UK where i live that many younger people don't use commas or full stops at all . it feels very strange and doesn't make any sense , when reading something that continually runs from one sentence or paragraph into another . It shows how our education system has really been "dumbed down" . Our language was far richer and far more descriptive , even in the 1970s , watching old tv shows or just ordinary people in the street talking , people spoke far clearer , with far more feeling and weren't afraid to be clear and eloquent . I think it shows how afraid we've become of being ourselves . We've been reduced , i think , on purpose , as people , especially in The West .
I strongly encourage everyone to download free THE ENGLISH DIALECT DICTIONARY (in 6 volumes). (1898) It's free (for now), it's available (for now), crack it open. Start learning what words used to mean, where they came from, and words you never heard of and ideas and concepts you never heard of. https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi01wrig/page/6/mode/2up It's like going back in time. Words change, languages altered and ideas are deleted. Orwell and Tolkien both wrote about the subversion of language. Without learning the origins of the language you speak and think in, you will be forever caught in endless newspeak, babble.
There was a really quick and interesting piece that I read which discusses how words have had their meanings twisted in order to change their public perception.
After the recent Tucker Carlson interview with Putin, I was discussing with my wife why I liked Tucker the first time I saw him in 2016. It was because he thought about what he was going to say, and had original, honest, things to say. This was a great contrast to almost all others in media who just repeat old worn out talking points without thinking. I deeply respect those who think before they speak and are not just robots programmed to repeat their team's talking points.
It is rare to find a person like this today. Thinking has gone out of fashion.
As the population grows more diverse with its mix of cultures and language, the typical conversation avoids precision, since our conversations can become hard to follow to newer plants. We stick with the colloquial. Nuance and degree are lost. An example would be one of Kamala Harris' talks. She's gone overboard with her basic desciption trying to reach everyone from all levels. Her speech becomes nothing more than the sounds of silence. Maybe she should focus on trying to reach 90% of her audience.
God Made a covenant with Israel, and the land is promised to them. If they (most Jews, nit all) don't believe in Jesus, then they obviously don't believe in the God of the bible. However, Abraham was right with God. How they finally get their inheritance, I don't know. Probably need to study up. It all pans out in the End, because God is the winner over death and sin. Muslims don't believe in Jesus either, or the God of the bible. They love the law, not God. The law can't save you. Muslims and Jews are related. They will hate each other. They both claim the inheritance.
Sarah, we may disagree on how to solve the problems of the U.S. and the world, but we are in total agreement on the paucity of people who can think for themselves and articulate in a coherent manner. In my humble opinion, we are in need more people of good mind and heart who would follow Christ's teachings in the new testament instead of the Jewish history book that is the old Testament.
I have been reading A Tale of Two Cities and I am amazed at the amount of words, even as a fairly well-educated adult, that I do not know. I mostly read non-fiction, but I have noticed that fiction often gives a wider range of vocabulary than non-fiction, so I will be making an effort to read more fiction for a while.
An astute observation, Sarah. It seems there are so few opportunities for serious, informed conversation. I can't add much to what you've catalogued already. It's almost as if our thinking has fallen victim to some sort of entropy, whereby the only "organized" thoughts are those contained in popular catch phrases, call it "hashtag entropy."
That's so true , Sarah , our language has been diluted . i've noticed here in the UK where i live that many younger people don't use commas or full stops at all . it feels very strange and doesn't make any sense , when reading something that continually runs from one sentence or paragraph into another . It shows how our education system has really been "dumbed down" . Our language was far richer and far more descriptive , even in the 1970s , watching old tv shows or just ordinary people in the street talking , people spoke far clearer , with far more feeling and weren't afraid to be clear and eloquent . I think it shows how afraid we've become of being ourselves . We've been reduced , i think , on purpose , as people , especially in The West .
I strongly encourage everyone to download free THE ENGLISH DIALECT DICTIONARY (in 6 volumes). (1898) It's free (for now), it's available (for now), crack it open. Start learning what words used to mean, where they came from, and words you never heard of and ideas and concepts you never heard of. https://archive.org/details/englishdialectdi01wrig/page/6/mode/2up It's like going back in time. Words change, languages altered and ideas are deleted. Orwell and Tolkien both wrote about the subversion of language. Without learning the origins of the language you speak and think in, you will be forever caught in endless newspeak, babble.
There was a really quick and interesting piece that I read which discusses how words have had their meanings twisted in order to change their public perception.
Here it is:
Linguistic Castration Circa 2023
https://authormorleyiii.substack.com/p/linguistic-castration-circa-2023
Well put Sarah. I appreciate that you are cultured, and it is a great pleasure hearing you speak in such a lovely way.
Seattle English Students Told It's "White Supremacy" To Love Reading, Writing
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/seattle-english-students-told-its-white-supremacy-love-reading-writing
After the recent Tucker Carlson interview with Putin, I was discussing with my wife why I liked Tucker the first time I saw him in 2016. It was because he thought about what he was going to say, and had original, honest, things to say. This was a great contrast to almost all others in media who just repeat old worn out talking points without thinking. I deeply respect those who think before they speak and are not just robots programmed to repeat their team's talking points.
It is rare to find a person like this today. Thinking has gone out of fashion.
As the population grows more diverse with its mix of cultures and language, the typical conversation avoids precision, since our conversations can become hard to follow to newer plants. We stick with the colloquial. Nuance and degree are lost. An example would be one of Kamala Harris' talks. She's gone overboard with her basic desciption trying to reach everyone from all levels. Her speech becomes nothing more than the sounds of silence. Maybe she should focus on trying to reach 90% of her audience.
God Made a covenant with Israel, and the land is promised to them. If they (most Jews, nit all) don't believe in Jesus, then they obviously don't believe in the God of the bible. However, Abraham was right with God. How they finally get their inheritance, I don't know. Probably need to study up. It all pans out in the End, because God is the winner over death and sin. Muslims don't believe in Jesus either, or the God of the bible. They love the law, not God. The law can't save you. Muslims and Jews are related. They will hate each other. They both claim the inheritance.
Beautifully sad reflection Sarah. Thank you!
Sarah, we may disagree on how to solve the problems of the U.S. and the world, but we are in total agreement on the paucity of people who can think for themselves and articulate in a coherent manner. In my humble opinion, we are in need more people of good mind and heart who would follow Christ's teachings in the new testament instead of the Jewish history book that is the old Testament.